[brownie]

No, you are confusing 2 arguments. I was responding to your statements that what the legislators did was UNCONSTITUTIONAL. I was not responding to whether what they did (or allegedly did) was right or wrong, smart or foolish, moral or immoral. I am still correct that what they (allegedly) did was not illegal or unconstitutional. You are still incorrect on that point.

Whether they did or did not do it does not change my argument. Whether you agree with walking out on a prayer does not change my argument. My argument was, is, and will be, that walking out on a prayer is NOT UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

So there.

[Illbay]

I was responding to your statements that what the legislators did was UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

I said that what they ALLEGEDLY did was a violation of their oath to uphold the Constitution. I didn't say that it was an overtly "unconstitutional" act.

The constitution is more than simply a set of rules. It embodies a set of PRINCIPLES.

The First Amendment goes beyond the simple words enjoining the Congress from passing laws respecting religion. It enshrines the principle of government neutrality with respect to religion.

This is a PRINCIPLE that an elected official has sworn to uphold. Look on the NEWS forum for Rep. McMahan's reply to my email. She acknowledges that respect for and freedom of religion is a PRINCIPLE that she personally would give her life for.

You do NOT have to "like" a particular religious philosophy, whether Islam or anything else. But you ARE required to show due respect, if you are acting in your post as an elected official. That's showing respect for the CONSTITUTION.